Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs. Apple iPad 10.2 (2021): Which Tablet Reigns Supreme?
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a seamless, intuitive experience and strong app support, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) is the better choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s larger screen, S Pen inclusion, and 5G option (on some models) make it compelling for students and users needing more flexibility.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE | Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 25 | 2021, September 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 18 | Available. Released 2021, September 24 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm (11.21 x 7.28 x 0.25 in) | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 608 g (1.34 lb) | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) |
| Stylus support | Stylus support (1st gen only) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) - 5G modelOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) - Wi-Fi model | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) - 5G modelQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) - Wi-Fi model | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 - 5G modelAdreno 642L - Wi-Fi model | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Tuned by AKG | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE (Wi-Fi), 5.2, A2DP, LE (5G) | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (5G) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass, gyro (5G model only) | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Samsung DeX | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 190 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 10090 mAh | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | SM-T730, SM-T733, SM-T736B, SM-T735 | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 |
| Price | About 650 EUR | About 430 EUR |
| SAR EU | 1.15 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1886:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -27.2 LUFS (Good) | -29.4 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 292530 (v8), 355430 (v9) GeekBench: 1904 (v5.1) GFXBench: 9.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Larger 10.5-inch display for enhanced multitasking.
- Included S Pen stylus for note-taking and creative tasks.
- Optional 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity.
- Snapdragon 750G/778G chipset is less powerful than the A13 Bionic.
- Android tablet app ecosystem isn't as optimized as iPadOS.
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Powerful A13 Bionic chip delivers smooth performance.
- iPadOS offers a refined and intuitive user experience.
- Access to a vast library of tablet-optimized apps.
- Smaller 10.2-inch display.
- Stylus (Apple Pencil) sold separately.
- No 5G connectivity option.
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature displays around the 10-inch mark, with the Tab S7 FE boasting a slightly larger 10.5-inch panel. While both achieve similar peak brightness around 513-522 nits, the Tab S7 FE edges out the iPad with a significantly higher contrast ratio of 1886:1 compared to the iPad’s 1123:1. This translates to deeper blacks and a more vibrant image, particularly noticeable when consuming media. However, neither display utilizes advanced technologies like LTPO for variable refresh rates, meaning smoother scrolling isn’t a feature on either device.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t a primary focus for either tablet, but the iPad 10.2 and Tab S7 FE both offer basic photo and video capabilities. Detailed sensor information is lacking for both, but the iPad’s image processing benefits from Apple’s computational photography expertise. Given the context, focusing on the main camera is more relevant than analyzing potentially low-resolution secondary sensors.
Performance
The performance landscape is more nuanced. The iPad 10.2 leverages Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, fabricated on a 7nm+ process, offering a hexa-core CPU configuration. The Tab S7 FE comes in two variants: a 5G model with the Snapdragon 750G (8nm) and a Wi-Fi model with the Snapdragon 778G (6nm). The Snapdragon 778G, found in the Wi-Fi version, features a more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 cores) and a smaller fabrication process, suggesting better efficiency and performance than the 750G. While the A13 Bionic generally outperforms both Snapdragon chips in raw CPU benchmarks, the Tab S7 FE’s larger RAM capacity (typically 6GB vs 3GB in the iPad) can aid multitasking. The A13’s optimized software integration, however, provides a smoother overall experience.
Battery Life
Battery life will vary based on usage, but both tablets offer all-day endurance for typical tasks. The Tab S7 FE supports 45W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 190 minutes. The iPad 10.2’s charging speed is slower, and specific charge times aren’t provided in the context data. The Tab S7 FE’s faster charging is a definite advantage for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE if you need a larger display for multitasking, value the included S Pen for note-taking and creative work, or require 5G connectivity for on-the-go productivity. Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) if you prioritize a polished user experience, access to a vast app library optimized for tablets, and seamless integration with other Apple devices.